On Tue, 2 Sep 2008 06:08:03 -0700 (PDT) Linux Canuck <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> There are many things to factor in. It is great to have choice, but > it can be intimiating for someone coming from another environment > where there is little choice. > > Things to consider: > > Ease of installation > > Most Linux distros offer Live disks where you can try the OS out > before you install it. This was pioneered by Ubuntu and they still > have the lead here due to Wubi which is included, allowing > installation from inside Windows (for dual booters without the hassle > of partitioning). However, any of the big distros have good > installers. > > Community > > This is where you will get support after you install. The biggest by > far is Ubuntu. Type Uuntu into any Linux search and you will get more > info than you can handle. Some communities are known for there > friendliness. One that is beoming known for its unfriendliness is > PCLOS which has some really annoying people in their forums. Most > Linux users are not like this. PCLOS is a great distro, though, > especially for newbies. > > Package Management > > Programs and libraries are called packages. Different distros use > different package managers. The most common and best is Synaptic > which runs on Debian based systems, although it can work with RPMs. > The two most common systems are Debs and RPMs. Most people find their > are fewer problems with dependency issues with Debs. Some RPM based > systems can become so broken that they become useless. Do a Google > search for RPM Hell. The only RPM disro to use Synaptic is PCLOS. All > Debian based distros use it. That's not entirely correct. With Fedora 9, one can select one package and it will install and setup apt, Synaptic, and Fedora's repositories. It will automagically setup apt to do nightly updates as well. Very sweet. Although I prefer Yumex myself. > > Wikipedia offers an excellent comparisons of distros. > http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comparison_of_Linux_Live_Distros > > Ubuntu has the most packages by far. Debian and Linspire also have a > lot. More packages mean more choice and less compiling from source > code. > > Proprietary drivers and codecs > > Some distros do not offer proprietary drivers or codecs. Others such > as Ubuntu do not install them by default but make them available for > download in their package list or repositories. A few have no qualms > about including them by default. These distros have DVDs play, wmas > play, and flash work out of the box. This is easier for newbies, > which is why they do it. Distros that do this include: PCLOS, MEPIS > and Mint. > > There is no one overall distro for newbies. Ubuntu has the largest > community and most support, but it is not as newbie friendly as MEPIS > and PCLOS which have relatively small communities. Mint is an Ubuntu > derivative which is more newbie friendly. > > Fedora is a great distro, but not one to start out with. It is one > that people turn to because it is associated with Red Hat, but they > soon run into problems. Mandriva 2008 gets top marks for everything > working out of the box. Get their free version (One) and then join if > you like it and want to support their work. Same with Linspire. Get > Freespire over Linspire. This distro was recently purchased by > Xandros so I am not sure where it is headed, but it is great for > newbies and is made for Windows users. Xandros is similar, but it is > one of the few commercial distros. > > These are my random thoughts. I suggest that you download a few ISOs > and burn them to CD and try them out. Then install the one that you > like best. > > BTW, I use Ubuntu, but am currently working in Mandriva. I have > PCLOS, MEPIS, Sabayon, Xandros, openSUSE and Ubuntu experimental > installed on my computers right now. Like many Linux users I > multi-boot. What do I like best? I like them all to some degree. I > use Ubuntu most of the time just because it suits my needs. > > Roy > > > > > > > > > Linux: Fast, friendly, flexible and .... free! > Support Open source. > <*,)}}+< > Only dead fish go with the flow! > > > -- Regards, Donald Cooley Registered Linux user 444909 -- Darth Vader sleeps with a Teddywookie. ------------------------------------ To unsubscribe from this list, please email [EMAIL PROTECTED] & you will be removed.Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/LINUX_Newbies/ <*> Your email settings: Individual Email | Traditional <*> To change settings online go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/LINUX_Newbies/join (Yahoo! ID required) <*> To change settings via email: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
